McLaren confirms performance SUV in £500m UK expansion

McLaren confirms performance SUV

The performance SUV represents a significant expansion of McLaren's traditionally supercar-focused portfolio, although the announcement does not reveal its name, specifications, powertrain, launch date or pricing.

McLaren also plans to manufacture future engines in-house for the first time and has committed to keeping all current and new models in the UK, creating potential new export opportunities and supporting local companies in its supply chain.

The SUV is likely to rival the Aston Martin DBX707, Lamborghini Urus, Ferrari Purosangue and Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. While McLaren has revealed no powertrain details, it could potentially draw on the 750S’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 or Artura’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid. Given its positioning and rivals, well over 700 hp seems plausible, though this remains speculation until official specifications are announced.

£500 million UK investment

McLaren will invest around £500 million to expand its R&D and production site in South Yorkshire and establish a new vehicle production facility in the UK.

The programme will create 1,000 new jobs by 2032, including in Woking and South Yorkshire, while the UK Government says it could unlock up to 3,000 additional jobs across the wider sector. It builds on McLaren's new design and innovation centre in Bicester and its engineering, testing and vehicle-development facility at MIRA in the Midlands.

The investment comes as the UK's unemployment rate stands at 4.9% for May to July 2026, according to the latest Office for National Statistics data. The rate was up 0.2 percentage points year-on-year but largely unchanged from the previous quarter.

Part of wider UK automotive investment

McLaren's expansion follows the UK Government's commitment of £4 billion to the wider automotive sector by 2035 and forms part of its Modern Industrial Strategy and wider push to reindustrialise Britain.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh visited the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on September 16 to meet senior executives, apprentices and employees and tour its facilities and production lines. The announcement also followed a Downing Street roundtable with business leaders focused on investment, employment and economic growth.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said McLaren was “doubling down on Britain”, highlighting the company's commitment to keeping the design, engineering and production of future cars in the country. Haigh described the expansion as a vote of confidence in Britain's advanced manufacturing sector, while Reynolds highlighted the 1,000 new jobs and additional employment expected across the supply chain.

Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Group Holdings and McLaren Automotive, said the investment would provide a platform to grow the company and develop its next generation of cars, while strengthening skills, jobs and Britain's global competitiveness.

Overall, the programme will expand McLaren's UK R&D and manufacturing footprint, introduce new production capacity, bring future engine manufacturing in-house and support the development of new models, including the confirmed performance SUV.